Turn your kids into Olympic hopefuls without breaking the bank

We all want the best for our children, but if you’re the parent of a young athlete or your child has expressed an interest in a sport, how can you be a supportive as possible while at the same time keeping the cost low?

London 2012 may well have inspired a generation, but if you’re a parent of a particularly talented young athlete then it can be hard work.

Driving them to training and competitions every evening and weekend takes real determination. More than that, it can cost a fortune.

Coaching isn’t cheap and equipment costs money – whether they need a football kit or a kayak. You may even need to take days off work to support them at events.

So whether you’re the parent of a young athlete or your child has expressed an interest in a sport, how can you keep the cost as low as possible?

Follow the grass-roots funding

Sport is expensive and the subsidised clubs that do exist are often too full to accept new members. But there is some funding available if you look for it.

For example, Sportivate is a £32 million lottery programme that gives 14-25 year olds access to six-week courses in a wide range of sports – including judo, wakeboarding and athletics.

It’s also worth contacting your local council to see if it offers any support for local children, or even just kids from low-income homes.

For example, in Kirklees, the council has funded a ‘Get into sport’ programme for children aged 16 and under.

Youngsters can go swimming for free and take part in subsidised activities ranging from climbing to fencing, and gymnastics to tennis.

Contact your nearest council leisure centre and ask what’s on. If you receive any benefits then it’s also worth asking if there’s any support for families on a tight budget – there may be a subsidy available.

Try free tasters

If your child just wants to try a few different sports to see if they enjoy them, then make sure you take advantage of the many free classes being offered to celebrate the Games.

This weekend, thousands of clubs and community groups are throwing open their doors and offering free taster sessions in everything from golf to judo. Visit JoinIn to find an event near you.

Londoners can also check out Boris Johnson’s Freesport project, which is running until the end of October. It’s the capital’s biggest ever free sports programme and is open to all ages and abilities.

You can find what’s on near you using the postcode search box on the mayor’s website.

Seek help from above

If your child is interested in a specific sport then it’s worth finding the national body for that activity. These often offer help and advice to younger athletes, and many are funding free taster sessions following the Olympics.

For example, Athletics England is offering ‘community days’ across the country, to allow people of all ages to try different athletic activities.

The national body websites often have forums where you can ask other parents for their sport-specific tips on keeping the cost of training down.

Buy second-hand kit

If your child’s chosen sport needs a lot of equipment then it makes sense to buy it second hand. As long as they’re growing, their kit won’t last long, so buying second hand is ideal.

For example, a working electric epee described as being in ‘good condition’ is on sale for just £15 on one classifieds site. Compare that to a brand new standard electric epee, on the market for £60, and that’s quite a saving.

Look for local sponsorship

If your child prodigy or a team they belong to is competing successfully at a regional or national level, then you might be able to secure some sponsorship from local companies.

Write to local companies and entrepreneurs, asking if they’d be interested in a sponsorship opportunity. Many will have a corporate responsibility budget that exists to pass money to local good causes.

If you can offer to put the company’s name across the sports kit or thank them in the team newsletter, then you give them an extra incentive to help.

Do what you can

Finally, not every parent can afford to give their child a head start in a competitive sport, even with help. Some youngsters will have to wait until secondary school to start benefitting from professional sports training and development.

But that doesn’t mean parents can’t give their children a helping hand from a young age.

Just helping them get active, out of the house and healthy will allow them to reach their full potential – whether that’s on a winners’ podium or playing five-a-side with their friends.

There are some really good tips for energetic activities on the Change 4 Life ‘Games for Life’ page.

Are you the parent of a sports-crazed youngster? Have you struggled to find affordable coaching? Share your experiences and any tips with other readers in the comments below.